Megliola: For two games it's felt like 2013 all over again

BOSTON — All season long the Red Sox have tried and failed to bottle the feel of 2013.

For two games in a row, they have. Back-to-back wins, both walk-offs. It brought back recent memories.

Wednesday night it was Brock Holt ending it against the White Sox in the bottom of the ninth. Thursday it took 10 innings, but Mike Carp stepped up. Carp, who had been 0-for-his-last-19 and just returned from a broken foot, came up to pinch-hit and ripped a single to left, scoring Daniel Nava for a 4-3 win.

Now 1-for-20, Carp played the hero.

The past was the past. The Red Sox could only hope that had a larger meaning.

"That’s my role, my job," said Carp. A difficult job though, after sitting on the bench for over three hours. Since Carp’s single was sliced to left, there was some doubt if it would score Nava.

"Any time a ball’s hit to left, you’re not sure," said Carp.

A bunch of guys played a part in the exhilarating win. Jackie Bradley Jr. had a base hit to tie the game 1-1 in the sixth against tough lefty Jose Quintana. David Ortiz’s two-run double would put Boston up 3-1 before the inning was over.

"Papi always comes up big in the clutch," said Bradley. "Walk-offs are very exciting."

Ya think?

It only got to extra innings when White Sox pinch-hittter Conor Gillaspie blasted a tying two-run homer off Koji Uehara in the ninth. Worried about Koji? Go ahead. He’s given up six homers, five in day games. What’s up with that, John Farrell?

"Maybe we could start the games later," he joked.

As for Gillaspie, he had one homer when the White Sox got to town. He left with four.

"We didn’t do a good job keeping him in the park," mused Farrell.

Once again, Jon Lester was sensational, and once again he got a no-decision. He scattered seven hits over seven innings, gave up a measly run, walked none and struck out 12. He’s stuck on 9-7, although his ERA dropped to 2.65. Lester was unfazed by the rotten luck.

"I just take the ball every five days and pitch."

And don’t bother bringing up his contract situation.

"The only thing that motivates me is winning games and World Series," he said. "Hope we go to Houston and have a good series so we feel good about ourselves going into the All-Star break."

Farrell said, "Our young guys played a pivotal part (in the game)."

Bradley got them on the board. Mookie Betts dropped down a key sacrifice bunt in the 10th, moving Nava to second.

"That’s a good question," said Betts when asked the last time he bunted. "I don’t remember."

It may have felt like last year for two games, but the reality is the Red Sox are still mired in a 2014 mess. They get it, and management is starting to tweak a few things.

On Dec. 4 the Red Sox signed A.J. Pierzynski. He’s gone.

On Jan. 22 they signed Grady Sizemore. Gone.

On Feb. 22 it was Chris Capuano. Gone.

Who’s next? We know Jake Peavy’s on the clock. Of less impact, Burke Badenhop must be too. Of great significance, a new address for Lester could be in the works. Any takers for Jonny Gomes, Shane Victorino? Just drop the dime. Is there a GM who thinks Stephen Drew’s an upgrade from the shortstop he already has?

If a new Red Sox era didn’t begin Wednesday, certainly management found a new way of looking at itself and didn’t see a team good enough to play in October. So let the kids play a kid’s game, and if a miracle happens, if they get back into it, that’d be just great.

Three and a half months was enough for Ben Cherington, who’s not an impatient man. But it was time to move and shake.

Farrell is still holding out hope for some late summer magic. His team only had three hits. But they were well-timed.

"That’s the key," said Farrell.

The way Lester’s throwing is impressive.

"It was probably the best curveball he’s had. It was a difference-maker. Once again, a strong outing," praised Farrell.

But they all know two thrillers don’t make a season.

"Hope it gives us some momentum going into the final series (before the break)," said Farrell.

So while Cherington figures out what more has to be done with the roster, and with an eye on 2015, Farrell is stuck in the present and hopes for the best.

Lenny Megliola can be reached at lennymegs@aol.com.

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